Don't always have internet? Stick to the Xbox 360, says Microsoft

Well, this certainly isn't going to win Microsoft any praise from consumers already frustrated at the console maker for the Xbox One's constant internet connection requirement. In an interview filmed prior to Microsoft's E3 2013 press briefing, Don Mattrick spoke out about concerns regarding the connectivity requirement of the Xbox One. To sum it up: for those of you without constant internet, stick to the Xbox 360.

"Fortunately, we have a product for people who aren't able to get some form of connectivity; it's called the Xbox 360," Mattrick said, matter-of-factly.

"If you have zero access to the Internet, that is an offline device," he explained. Seems pretty bold of Microsoft to just brush off the concerns of such a requirement. Although I'm perfectly capable of always being online, there's still a large portion of the world where fast internet is not accessible, and even some parts of the United States. It seems Microsoft is content with leaving those people in the past while they look toward the future. Apparently, people will appreciate such a move by Microsoft with the Xbox One.

“It’s a service-based world, if you think about things and how they get better with an internet connection, that’s a design choice we’ve made. I think people will appreciate it... We did a lot of testing, a lot of consumer research and I think we made a good choice," he defended.

As for those in the military, bravely serving our country, Mattrick said he can "empathise" with them. "If I was on a sub I'd be disappointed." Overall, though, he feels gamers are "imagining outcomes that are worse than what we believe it's going to be in the real world."

Is Microsoft's requirement for an always-online connection with the Xbox One a deciding factor in purchasing a next-gen console?